MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Goring (international name: Saola) slightly intensified as it maintained its southwest track toward Cagayan.
The 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin showed Goring still slowly moving southwestward but now packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
Goring’s eye was estimated 225 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes, or 270 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, based on the latest available data of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Earlier, Pagasa said the tropical storm packed maximum wind speeds of 75 kph and gustiness of 90 kph, and its center was located 220 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes.
The state weather service also said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 stays over four areas in extreme northern Luzon:
– the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga,
– Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñblanca), Batanes,
– the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island and Camiguin Island), and the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).
READ: More areas under Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Storm Goring
As with its 5 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Thursday, Pagasa reiterated in its 11 a.m. advisory that: “Due to [the] highly favorable environment, Goring is forecast to intensify rapidly and may reach typhoon category by tomorrow. It may reach its peak intensity on Sunday evening, after which it is forecast to maintain strength until the end of the forecast period. The potential for developing into a super typhoon is not ruled out.”
Its previous forecast that Goring may reach its “peak intensity” on Sunday evening (August 27) likewise stood, noting that “after which, it is forecast to maintain strength until the end of the forecast period. The potential for developing into a super typhoon is not ruled out.”
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Goring
For now, however, “minimal to minor impacts from strong winds” may be expected in areas under TCWS No. 1., Pagasa said. However, the state weather bureau also predicted that heavy rainfall in the affected areas would still occur because of Goring.
It added that “rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas.”
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” Pagasa continued.
READ: North Luzon folk urged to prepare as rivers may overflow amid TS Goring – Pagasa
Goring is likewise seen to boost the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, which means occasional rains over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon and the western portion of Visayas would occur starting Saturday or Sunday.